Key-ring



(No Model.)

I G. W. JOPSONi KEY RING. No. 305,823. Patented Sept. 30, 1884.

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UNLrrED STATES Parana FFlCE.

GEORGE W. JOPSON, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

KEY-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 305,823, dated September 30, 1884.

Application filed May 31, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Jonson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key-Rings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereomwhichforma part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to key-rings, and has for its object to provide simple, inexpensive, and easily-operated means whereby to connect the ends of a split key-ring, so the said ring may be readily opened to enable the placing on or removal of keys therefrom, and besecurely clasped when in use, as willbe described.

It consists, essentially, in connection with a splitring having its ends arranged near together, of a clasp pivoted to one end of the ring, and interlocking with the other end by means of pins and notches, substantially as hereinafter set forth. y In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of my ring unfastened. Fig. 2 is a similar view, fastened with one side flange 0f the clasp broken-away. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the clasp. Fig. 4 is a view, enlarged, of the ends of the ring with the clasp unfastened.

The ring A may be made in the circular form shown, or in triangular or any other desired shape. It is split, as shown, and has its ends A .A. arranged. in close proximity. In the end A, I. form the notch a, which, it will I be noticed, is rounded or beveled toward the outer circumference of the ring, and it will be noticed the outer circumference or upper edge of the endA' is also beveled downward toward said notch a.

The clasp B is {preferably formed with the top plate, b. and the depending side plates or flanges, b. I pivot or hinge one end of the clasp to the end Aiof the ring, preferably at 11 as shown, and its opposite end is capable of being turned down against the other end,

A, as shown in Fig. 2. This clasp is pro vided with a transverse pin, C, which is arranged in proper position, as shown, so it may be sprung into and out of engagement with the notch ain end A.

It will be noticed that the pin C is arranged a distance from the pivot b slightly greater than the distance from pivot 32 to the extremity of end A, when the latter end is in its normal position, so as to enable the securing of the pin, in the operation presently described, by the tension of the ends A A toward each other.

The operation is simple, and will be under stood on' reference to the drawings. \Vhen the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, keys may be applied to or removed from the ring. If the clasp be now turned down against the end A, the beveled upper edge of said end will permit said pin to be forced into engagement with the notch a, and the ring will be closed, as shown in Fig. 2. If, now, it be desired to open the ring, the swinging end of the clasp may be lifted, when the beveled form of the notch will permit the pin to escape therefrom. It will be understood, however, that the tension of the spring is such as to force its ends toward each other with sufficient strength to hold the transverse pin firmly and prevent any accidental unfastening of the ring.

I prefer to form the clasp with the side plates or flanges, as thereby the end A of the ring is held from any lateral movement and a firmer fastening is secured. It is obvious, however, that where desired they may be dispensed with and the pin C be secured suitably to the top main plate of the clasp.

It will be further understood that, instead of beveling the notch and upper edge of the end A, said parts may be made square and the ends of the ring sprung apart by hand, to enable the adjustment of the clasp into and out of its fastened position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with the ring A, having its ends separated and one end, A, provided with a notch, a, of the clasp B, pivoted at one end, If, to the end A and having its other end adapted to be turned down against the end A, and provided with the pin 0, se cured in the clasp, and adapted to be sprung into notch a between the said ends A A the latter having a tension toward each other in In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE N. J OPSON 5 the plane of the ring, whereby said pin 0 Witnesses:

may be adjusted into and out of engagement E. O. BIRDsEY, with said notch a, substantially as set forth. F. S. FOSTER. 

